Evaluation of ductile-brittle transition temperature of anisotropy material by small punch test with U-shaped notch

Miniature and standard specimens, were cut from the anisotropy materials with axial, central and radial directions to study the mechanical property. In the paper, main research focused on the small punch test (SPT) with un-notched and U-shaped notched specimen in low temperature. Through the small punch energy variation with temperature, the ductile-brittle transition temperature by the small punch test (TSP) can be determined. The results indicated that there was no obvious difference among three different directions in transformation temperature of SPT with un-notch specimens, and it cannot represent upper plateau impact energy of three different directions. And the SPT with U-shaped notched specimens can determine the differences of upper plateau fracture energy of three different directions. Therefore, SPT with U-shaped notch specimens was more useful to evaluate the material anisotropy

European standard on small punch testing of metallic materials

In the 1980s, studying the effect of neutron irradiation and temper embrittlement on structural materials for the fusion and fission programmes was a major challenge. In this context the development of small specimen test techniques began, allowing the characterization of structural materials for nuclear applications with small amounts of material. The small punch technique is of one these small specimen test approaches. It is widely used for the development and monitoring of structural materials, however there is currently no comprehensive international standard for small punch testing. An EN standard on small punch testing is currently being developed under the auspices of ECISS/TC101/WG1. Besides describing the apparatus, procedures, and specimens, it will include recommendations for the estimation of tensile, fracture and creep properties from small punch testing as well as machine readable formats for representing and transferring test data. This paper describes the current status of the standard and highlights some of the changes with regard to the current CWA 15672 (2007)

Alarm calling behavior of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus

Alarm calling in a population of thirteenlined ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus , was studied over a three-year period. Data on ground squirrel reactions to human and canine approaches and to the approach or presence of avian predators were used to quantify alarm calling behavior.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46905/1/265_2004_Article_BF00299364.pd

A multiple timepoint pre-post evaluation of a ‘sexual respect’ dvd to improve competence in discussing sex with patients with disability

Sexual problems are common after chronic illnesses and disability, yet research indicates that this is a neglected area in healthcare services. Evaluation studies provide evidence of the effectiveness of education in enhancing professionals’ knowledge, skills, and comfort in addressing patients’ sexual concerns. However, there are limited evaluations aimed at improving ability to discuss sexuality when working with people with disabilities. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate a ‘Sexual Respect’ DVD as an intervention to improve competence in addressing ‘sexuality and disability’. A mixed methods design was used with both quantitative and qualitative components. Nursing students’ self-report ratings of knowledge, confidence, comfort and willingness (to discuss sexuality) levels were collected across four time points: baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up. Data were analysed using one-way repeated measures ANOVAs with post hoc comparisons. Open-ended qualitative comments relating to the barriers and facilitators to discussing sexuality were analysed using content analysis and subsequent frequency analysis. Reported barriers included lack of knowledge about sex¬uality and disability issues, the patient’s level of disability, and waiting for the patient to raise sexuality issues first. Facilitators included education/training, written information, and if the patient raised it first. Overall, the DVD intervention had a significant and positive impact on nursing students’ self-reported knowledge, confidence, comfort and willingness levels. The findings are discussed in relation to the PLISSIT model, which emphasises the importance of a proactive approach to addressing sexuality issues

An overview of using small punch testing for mechanical characterization of MCrAlY bond coats

Considerable work has been carried out on overlay bond coats in the past several decades because of its excellent oxidation resistance and good adhesion between the top coat and superalloy substrate in the thermal barrier coating systems. Previous studies mainly focus on oxidation and diffusion behavior of these coatings. However, the mechanical behavior and the dominant fracture and deformation mechanisms of the overlay bond coats at different temperatures are still under investigation. Direct comparison between individual studies has not yet been achieved due to the fragmentary data on deposition processes, microstructure and, more apparently, the difficulty in accurately measuring the mechanical properties of thin coatings. One of the miniaturized specimen testing methods, small punch testing, appears to have the potential to provide such mechanical property measurements for thin coatings. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of using small punch testing to evaluate material properties and to summarize the available mechanical properties that include the ductile-to-brittle transition and creep of MCrAlY bond coat alloys, in an attempt to understand the mechanical behavior of MCrAlY coatings over a broad temperature range

The evaluation of materials properties of inservice components by small punch tests

Residual lifetimes and/or structural integrity assessments of critical components of mechanical plants and/or steel structures reąuire the knowledge of actual mechanical properties of the components' materials, because the material properties could be reduced throughout a service life by ageing. the use of standardised mechanical test techniques for determination of actual mechanical properties of the components under operation can cause its considerable damage due to size of necessary testing material and following repairs by welding. The need of a large amount of testing material can be eliminated by new advanced testing method based on „ non destructive " sampling of a small amount of testing material from the component surface. the mechanical characteristics are then determined by Small Punch) Tests (SPT). This paper describes the use of this advanced test technique for determination of tensile properties and fracture characteristics (FATT, J IC) of materials. The small punch test technique provides at present time a vehicle for determination of actual tensile and fracture properties necessary for optimisation of operating procedures and inspection intervals as well as for repairs strategies and residual lifetime assessment

Utjecaj veličine uzorka na žilavost konstrukcijskih čelika

In the paper notch toughness assessment of full scale testing samples (FS) form the upper bound toughness of sub-sized (SS) samples of structural carbon-manganese steels. The relations proposed by Schindler (2000) are in good agreement with experimental data. Empirical proportionality constant q* = 0,54 between notch toughness of full scale and sub-sized samples of studied structural steels agrees well with theoretically estimated constant q* = 0,50–0,54. More precise knowledge of the size effect of testing samples on temperature dependence of notch toughness requires an analysis of scatter in experimental data.U radu je data metoda utvrđivanja žilavosti za normirane (NU) i male uzorke (MU) probom savijanja zaC–Mn čelike u temperaturnom dijapazonu gornje granice žilavosti. Za sve ispitivane čelike potvrđene su jednadžbe po Schindleru (2000) i u dobroj su korelaciji sa eksperimantalnim vrijednostima. Empirički utvrđena konstanta pravca g* = 0,54 između žilavosti normiranih i malih uzoraka suglasna je s teorijski izračunatom vrijednosti te konstante, koja se mijenja u rasponu g* =0,50 – 0,54. Precizniji podaci utjecaja veličine ispitivanih uzoraka na toplinsku ovisnost žilavosti zavisna je od analiza rasipanja eksperimentalnih podataka